Homemade Breadsticks

Ingredients

• 330g strong white flour
• 300ml warm water
• 2 tsp dried yeast
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp oil
• 2 tbsp sesame seeds
• 2 tbsp poppy seeds
• 1 egg

Method

Pour the warm water into the large bowl and add yeast, sugar and 2 spoons of flour, oil and salt. Combine using a hand whisk and leave for 2 minutes.

Gradually add flour and stir until the mixture is too thick for a hand whisk.

Using a hand, fold the rest of the flour and continue kneading for a further few minutes, until smooth and elastic.

Add more flour if the dough is too sticky.

When the dough is well-kneaded, soft and not sticky to the hands, put it into a bowl greased with the oil. Cover with a cling film and place in a warm place for an hour to double in size.

After an hour, knead the dough for a few minutes.

Add more flour if the dough is too sticky.

Divide the dough into two and place it on a floured surface and roll it out with a rolling pin.

Cut into strips with a knife and each twist and stretch with your hands to make it longer.

Don’t worry when they don’t all look the same.

Put on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Repeat the same with the second part of the dough.

Let it rise again for about 30 minutes.

During this time, heat the oven to 220C.

After 30 minutes crack one egg into a bowl and beat with a fork until combined making an egg wash.

Spread this mixture over each piece of dough and sprinkle with poppy seeds or sesame seeds as desired.  

Put them in a preheated oven and bake for up to 12 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

When they are fully cooled down they are ready to eat but if you like, try them when they are still warm, they taste delicious.